Please do read "Purple Rain Era Studio Sessions" by Duane Thudal if you enjoy dissecting Prince's studio work! A captivating read, not just a list of studio dates. From what I gather, the band played the track live and Prince overdubbed his guitar right after. The first live take that's on the raw tracks was not used on the final mix. Also Dr. Fink came up with and played the deranged saloon piano part on the recording, but Prince mimes to it in the Purple Rain movie (with his feet!). Also I believe Wendy played the clean(ish) funk guitar parts. BrownMark and the girls always had to emulate Prince's playing style to a degree, so that's why it kinda sounds like Prince.
the part where there are all the semi tones etc is wehre he said im not gonna let de-elevator bring us down. de-elevator is code for the devil and those chords are full of what is referred to historically as the devils tri tone. and there are 2 groups of tritones on top of one another for a truly wicked sound. and the phrasing of the chords sounds ominously like a demon struggling and thrashing about to try and find its way out of the structure of the main verse chord voicing, which is quite fun and aggressive and triumphant.
Fantastic video. I was a HUGE Prince fan. I saw him four times: Flipper’s in L.A. in 1981, Controversy tour at Santa Monica Civic and twice for the 1999 tour, once in L.A. and then at Long Beach. The 1999 concert was the best concert ever. And I my parents took us to see the Beatles at Dodger Stadium in 1965!
@@dannyeddyguitar I saw him play Manchester City's football stadium in the UK. He only did about 70 mins and only played ONE guitar solo (which was disappointing only playing one, except it was an amazing jazz solo like on If I Had A Harem on Lovesexy live video) but he was unbelievable. Amazing on bass, amazing on drums and piano. Plus, he jumped over the drumkit off a riser and landed in the splits (unless I just dreamt that ???).
I was at all those shows, except the Beatles! One of the shows was at the Forum. I remember the one in Long Beach with Vanity 6 and the Time. The Time was kicking his ass that night!
Prince was largely a self-taught musician, do you think it gives them a certain creativity (a breaking of the rules per se)? A highly trained musician that spent many years in a conservatory or other musical institution would internalize rules and not think to do some of the stuff Prince did naturally. The edges would be smoothed out. A conservatory would never turn out a Frank Zappa. I think both kinds of musicians are necessary personally. Thanks for the interesting video. I love your enthusiasm and breakdown of this classic Prince song, I've not seen anything like this on other channels.
I love your comment Debbie. Very thought provoking! Personally I don't think conservatory vs non-conservatory is what makes the difference. I think the Princes, Zappas, Colliers and Bowies of the world would emerge as musical super-powers regardless of the nature of their musical education. I believe the main difference between these geniuses and the other millions of highly musically individuals that exist in the world, is their ability to remain highly motivated, continually and relentlessly pushing themselves when the rest of us would just give up and go work in a call centre. Thanks for your lovely feedback too!
Good question. Prince's parents were pianist/songwriters and singers in their own right, and that had to play some role in his grasping the concepts of music theory and playing. He's also known to have started playing guitar fairly early on and had others (family and friends) that were musicians. That said, it is unquestionable that Prince had an early on knack for creativity, and used music as an outlet to his personal conflicts and environment. Music is usually a gateway to coping with stress and other issues. I do think that there are generally 2 types of musicians: a) those that are generally self taught and break the music theory/songwriting rules even when they have a music foundation, and b) those that study and follow music theory, are often very technically proficient, yet may lack the same level of creativity. Basically, when you have no rules to follow, you make stuff up that sounds great because music is about listening to the sounds and how they can meld together, rather than just notes on a music staff to be read and studied.
Great breakdown. LGC is the song that really opened my eyes to Prince when I saw him open his Syracuse show with it and he blew me away! The long version is just awesome too - so sinister. Thanks for this. 👍
Suoerb video. Every time I have tried to figure out this song I have felt there was something missing, and this explains it all. One of the most useful videos I have ever watched, really.
Man this is totally mind blowing. I mean this puts his level of genius and musical ability in a whole new light. I already put him above anybody else but wow....he is truly a virtuoso prodigy more closely related to the great classical composers than to any of his contemporaries.
Awesome man. Perfect video and wonderful insight. So good to hear the track pulled apart and hear how different it sounds in sections. Just shows you how complex a classic track is that ends up sounding very simple. Crazy.
Thanks Danny for this beautiful tribune you give here! I dont know how you got the different tracks of the song but.....it’s amazing. I’m a huge fan since the very first time of Prince (l’m 60 🥴) and the last 5 yrs were.......sad. God bless you, bro.
Danny, FINALLY someone properly goes over this song. You made the standard for this one mate! Got this via the algorithm via suggestions underneath AFTER I clicked on Can you hear me knocking live Mick Taylor band. Not sure why it took so long. Been going thru your catalog, sub'd just great videos dude, quality work. I had to laugh on your guess the solos. You looked like you WERE HAVING TOO MUCH FUN! on those! Really, I was chuckling on each solo, you clearly WERE enjoying them a lot! Since you're down under- one of the best shows of all time, an Aussie series is Mr Inbetween on FX Hulu, 4 short season, w/ fabulous writing, the guy wrote it and stars in it. Some of the best tv I've ever seen here in the US.
G'day Jim, thanks heaps for this message! Also for the sub and the Mr. Inbetween recommendation. By the way, have you checked out Mick Taylor's solo on the 1969 Madison Square Gardens version of Sympathy for the Devil? ruclips.net/video/bXDSbxi1YTY/видео.html
@@dannyeddyguitar no. But I will now! Thanks! I believe I converted the sound check from this show from RUclips for my bro in law who is a huge stones fan.
Susan Rogers said that she recorded the band playing this live at the warehouse where they rehearsed with overdubs by Prince later. There are only 3 one man band tracks on Purple Rain. When Doves Cry, The Beautiful Ones and Darling Nikki. Everything else on the album has somebody else from the Revolution playing on it in some way
We actually learned the whole long version of this. Our bass player was Philip Bynoe who nows plays with Steve Vai. Philip has perfect pitch so he was able to just shout out the notes to us when we were learning it!
You Legend this was fascinating what an absolute musical Genius… Love the edits you put in and the background information as well as your playing and research too… masterpiece video brother 💎
I've never been a huge Prince fan or anything (not a dislike by any stretch just not someone I ever felt the urge to listen to - except 7. absolutely love 7). ANYWAY this was wildly informative and enjoyable and not at all how I pictured spending half an hour on a Tuesday night. Might actually be the first time I've managed to watch a youtube video > 5 minutes from start to finish without getting distracted somewhere else.
that is an INCREDIBLE find. Always in fear of great artists like Prince, other 24 tracks just go missing forever. especially when the Masters burned down on the MGM lot. just never entered my mind that things so rare can just disappear forever. I know these are copies but still.. such an amazing find. now if they would just release his gazillions of recordings hes done privately over the years. that would be an amazing way to spend time. take a leave of absence from work, just sitting by the fireplace listening. great vid, thanks so much.
Perfect analysis ! The use of the polychords or dissonances were used imo to live up to the title of the song: "let's go CRAZY". People are not fully aware how complex and difficult Prince's songs are, until they try to play it. Because when you hear the songs they seem so natural and "easy". That's one part of Prince's genius !
Thanks Blair. Yes, many sources do claim Wendy & Mark are on here. And what I have are actually 'stems', so I can't tell whether their parts are mixed in amongst what I'm hearing. But, as I said, that bass playing sounds identical to the guitar playing. Same feel and same notes missed/muted/louder etc. But this could simply mean Prince punched in certain phrases later on. *shrugs*
love prince...have since I was 7 in 82...this song is still my favorite prince song no matter how many times I've heard it...I used to keep a little mini boom box under the covers in the early 80s so I could listen to the new songs after my parents thought I was sleeping. ..I remember the first time I heard this song. it was one of those nights listening on that radio...I had already seen and heard his 1999 era stuff as well as when the doves cry so I knew who he was...but the song was released just as prince was really blowing up. this was like a combo of classic rock , glam rock , funk , gospel etc etc ...just blew my mind as a little kid. still my favorite prince song and one of the greatest opening album tracks of all time
Thanks so, so much for sharing those memories, Michael! I absolutely love reading this stuff. This is why music (and arts in general) is such a precious gift to the world. To connect people across the globe and stir precious memories and emotions... Bloody awesome!
Great Danny! I´m also an huge Prince fan. I love all he has done. He was the greatest! I´ve also checking out songs as you are , how they are constructed, which chords and so on. And you´ve done this all for us already! Great work , keep up the good work. I´ll be back!
Loved this video and I'll be right there watching you on this journey into Prince's endless world of music. Prince is and forever will be the most talented and complete musician and artist of all time and I'm sure his music will live on and be rediscovered by future generations until the end of time. Again, thanks for this great video, wishing you all the best! ...💜 O(+> 4ever
Thanks for bringing this analysis to us, LGC was and is always my fav Prince song, loved it when I first heard it and played it many times as a DJ in a metal/goth/ new wave club. Yes indeed, why cause this was what I call " dance rock ". Dance rhythms married to rock/metal melodies, too much rhythm it becomes another regular elctro dance track, too much guitar tune it becomes a metal song but this gets the balance perfect ! Nobody explained why till you did Danny, three guitars playing three very different chords gets both rhythm and heaviness in it to the right degree, genius as you say ! Thank you !
Prince has been a huge influence in my life being a bass player growing up in the funk era but I started out playing songs like smoke on the water but none of my buddies wanted to rock out but I did and he made it easier to get them to play stuff that I wanted to play so I really enjoy your content Thanks bro 😎
Sir. You are a hero for making this video. It is so hard to hear all of this on the track. I gig professionally in MN and need to play this song properly at gigs. Thank you for this!
Really appreciate this just-technical-enough analysis (no offence Beato!) delivered with ego-free expertise and infectious enthusiasm, great stuff many thanks
@@dannyeddyguitar it is! the best example is his noisy model C on the official video of the question of U (the Tokyo dome show). the guitar is noisy sounds like a formula one engine but the high gain scratches just tug at my heart I feel like one day I might get a cardiac arrest listening to that solo
I added it to break up the normal in jazz I do but he was the influence for my style of piano and bass Loved your break down I learned even more form your vid!!! Right on
Just read a post by Carlos Alomar talking about recording Station to Station and Earl Slick would play his rock power chords and licks and he’d be playing his James Brown 9th fret grooves and that become the unique sound of the album. That’s exactly what is going on in the guitar parts here.
That poly-chord reminds me of the OO7 dissonant final chord. I used to listen to this song as an adrenaline pump before performing in gymnastic meets. It still gets too me nearly 40 years later. I remember hearing certain songs the first time and saying to myself, this will always sound great.
Yes, good pick up - both those chords have quite unexpected Major 7ths. Also agree about the 'classicness' of the song! Thanks for checking it out and commenting.
Amazing video! I did notice one thing in the solo (main solo). At the end, I hear 4 groups of 3 notes, then ending on the C#. I slowed it down to catch it.
Thanks!! Maybe there's a different version, but on these isolated tracks there is definitely only three groups of three. Then Prince slides down from the F# to oblivion. However the rhythm guitar comes back in right there, on C# - perhaps that's what you're hearing.
@@dannyeddyguitar Here's the album version. ruclips.net/video/dmwLlj51iTA/видео.html At 2:59 is where the end of the solo comes in. I slowed it down to 50% and even 25%. What I hear is, 3 notes per string X 4 strings. High E string --17-16-14, B string --17-16-14, G string --16-15-14, D string --16-15-14, Then to the C#5 power chord.
So I have some insight... Alot of the "live" tracks on the Purple Rain album were indeed the entire band playing together live. But Prince was known to take the multitracked live recording and go back to the studio to lay down overdubs and add more to the production. So in a sense, you are right that alot of the guitar work is Prince, even some of the Bass overdubs might be him as well. But, in future sessions (SOTT) he would bring the individual members back in to rerecord some of their parts.
Thanks, that's how I imagined it going down. Just because a session is recorded live, doesn't mean nothing is ever rerecorded, overdubbed, tuned etc. in post.
So the "elevator bring us down" section, which I thought was regular root and 5th power chords, are really root and 3rds. Interesting. I'm at work but I'll give it a try when I get home tonight. Thanks!
@@dannyeddyguitar I always played it more straight ahead root and 5ths, going by with what I heard in the forefront. Your breakdown of the intervals used, say him playing one set of chords and Wendy playing another, really gave the song depth. So again a thanks!
Since that one track cuts out when it clips, I'm assuming the "fuzz" comes from being plugged straight into the board (a la The Beatles "Revolution"). This would also explain why the wah is before the fuzz "effect."
Absolutely, could be. It could also be that the warehouse rehearsal was super loud and signal into amp mics was really hot. But I like you're thinking, because Prince did HEAPS of stuff DI into the desk - especially for some of that super crisp, dry-sounding funk articulation.
Ok i read that the revolution recorded lets go crazy live check out an interview with susan Roger's at the rehearsal where house so that main guitar riff wendy played that
Bro! This is incredible! Where did you get these tracks?!?!? This explains SOOOO much why Ive always had such a hard time figuring out parts on let’s go crazy! Grew up on Prince myself. Got lucky to go visit my cousin in Texas when I was 11 and they happened to be going to the purple rain concert! 🤯 Changed my life forever…huge fan from that point on. Keep up the great work!
Wow! What an experience for an 11 year old!! A viewer sent me these tracks. I have promised not to share because the estate doesn't want them out there. But they sometimes pop up on Reddit...
Great video. One thing not sure mentioned here is that this was recorded on analog 24 track tape. And tape speeds, saturation and even slight speed variations are also all going to add to the mystical rhythm and funk.
what's the guitar chord played during the post bizzaro breakdown part you mentioned it sounds like one chord being played with slight note change here and there
Hi Cyan, you are correct. It is indeed one chord with a single note being changed. The chord is Bm. Played on the D, G, and B strings at the 9th, 7th and 7th frets. Then the B string note is changed, first to the 9th, then the 10th frets. It's a well used (well stolen?) funk riff that I first heard when Catfish Collins played it on James Brown's Soul Power in 1971. Then Nile Rodgers played it on Duran Duran's Notorious, before INXS used it on their smash, Original Sin.
I believe prince was using an MXR Pitch Transposer Rack mount processor. I've done this in our studio and it's spot on. However, your analysis is valuable
Thanks! Sorry - I left that bit out. It's basically a B minor vamp at the 7th fret. 3rd finger on 9th fret of D string, 1st finger barred at 7th fret across G and B strings, then use your 4th finger to add the 9th then 10th frets on the B string as required. Good luck!
@@dannyeddyguitar I had no idea there were layers of fuzzed out guitars (which pedal?) and the clashing poly chords. Yep - the man was a genius alright.
What a fantastic video, would you happen to know where to get a download of this 24 track project, if not don't worry, I know id spend hours just listening to his musical genius, definitely will subscribe.
Thanks so much Sparrow. I was lucky enough to be sent the files by a viewer. But they're quite large and I don't currently have a subscription service with enough space to upload - too many collaborative projects on the go!
I finally got around to that Outro Solo - ruclips.net/video/LHAOgfMjVNI/видео.html
I would die for those 24 tracks..
@@rougefive7380 Another viewer has reported locating the files via Reddit - good luck!
@@dannyeddyguitar Thanks!
DAAAAAMN Danny, I just watched your “Let’s Go Crazy” Outro Solo & you are a…….BEAST DUDE!!!! Continued Respect ✊🏽 & Success $$ Brother!!!
You know the man's a true virtuoso when you can do a 20+ minute in-depth breakdown on just one song
Some might say I don't know when to shut up. Me, I agree with you!
Always will be a huge prince fan. I love how you honor him. Great job.
Thank you Franco. Really appreciate that feedback. He was bloody special!
This is the greatest thing ever on RUclips!! Love it!! Please keep the Prince material coming!
Big praise, Chris! Wow, hope I can live up to it. I do have some more Prince on the way ...
@@dannyeddyguitar sooooo, a complete note for note breakdown of the “While my Guitar Gently weeps” Rock and Roll hall of Fame solo🌚🌚
Ohhhh His creep cochela solo would be good also
...and it was recorded in a warehouse! Genius stuff. Great video.
Please do read "Purple Rain Era Studio Sessions" by Duane Thudal if you enjoy dissecting Prince's studio work! A captivating read, not just a list of studio dates. From what I gather, the band played the track live and Prince overdubbed his guitar right after. The first live take that's on the raw tracks was not used on the final mix. Also Dr. Fink came up with and played the deranged saloon piano part on the recording, but Prince mimes to it in the Purple Rain movie (with his feet!). Also I believe Wendy played the clean(ish) funk guitar parts. BrownMark and the girls always had to emulate Prince's playing style to a degree, so that's why it kinda sounds like Prince.
Thanks Anton, that's awesome info! I'll be reading that book for sure.
He also wrote a sequel detailing the “PArade/ Sign O The Times era studio sessions that is equally fascinating and awe inspiring.
the part where there are all the semi tones etc is wehre he said im not gonna let de-elevator bring us down. de-elevator is code for the devil and those chords are full of what is referred to historically as the devils tri tone. and there are 2 groups of tritones on top of one another for a truly wicked sound. and the phrasing of the chords sounds ominously like a demon struggling and thrashing about to try and find its way out of the structure of the main verse chord voicing, which is quite fun and aggressive and triumphant.
Fantastic video. I was a HUGE Prince fan. I saw him four times: Flipper’s in L.A. in 1981, Controversy tour at Santa Monica Civic and twice for the 1999 tour, once in L.A. and then at Long Beach. The 1999 concert was the best concert ever. And I my parents took us to see the Beatles at Dodger Stadium in 1965!
Wow! What an insanely rich musical life you have already led! I saw the great man here in Oz back in the 90s. Absolutely blew my mind!
@@dannyeddyguitar I saw him play Manchester City's football stadium in the UK. He only did about 70 mins and only played ONE guitar solo (which was disappointing only playing one, except it was an amazing jazz solo like on If I Had A Harem on Lovesexy live video) but he was unbelievable. Amazing on bass, amazing on drums and piano. Plus, he jumped over the drumkit off a riser and landed in the splits (unless I just dreamt that ???).
I was at all those shows, except the Beatles! One of the shows was at the Forum. I remember the one in Long Beach with Vanity 6 and the Time. The Time was kicking his ass that night!
Prince was largely a self-taught musician, do you think it gives them a certain creativity (a breaking of the rules per se)? A highly trained musician that spent many years in a conservatory or other musical institution would internalize rules and not think to do some of the stuff Prince did naturally. The edges would be smoothed out. A conservatory would never turn out a Frank Zappa. I think both kinds of musicians are necessary personally. Thanks for the interesting video. I love your enthusiasm and breakdown of this classic Prince song, I've not seen anything like this on other channels.
I love your comment Debbie. Very thought provoking!
Personally I don't think conservatory vs non-conservatory is what makes the difference. I think the Princes, Zappas, Colliers and Bowies of the world would emerge as musical super-powers regardless of the nature of their musical education.
I believe the main difference between these geniuses and the other millions of highly musically individuals that exist in the world, is their ability to remain highly motivated, continually and relentlessly pushing themselves when the rest of us would just give up and go work in a call centre.
Thanks for your lovely feedback too!
Lol at the call centre remark. 😁
Good question. Prince's parents were pianist/songwriters and singers in their own right, and that had to play some role in his grasping the concepts of music theory and playing. He's also known to have started playing guitar fairly early on and had others (family and friends) that were musicians.
That said, it is unquestionable that Prince had an early on knack for creativity, and used music as an outlet to his personal conflicts and environment. Music is usually a gateway to coping with stress and other issues.
I do think that there are generally 2 types of musicians: a) those that are generally self taught and break the music theory/songwriting rules even when they have a music foundation, and b) those that study and follow music theory, are often very technically proficient, yet may lack the same level of creativity. Basically, when you have no rules to follow, you make stuff up that sounds great because music is about listening to the sounds and how they can meld together, rather than just notes on a music staff to be read and studied.
Self taught? His dad was a jazz musician.
@@jamesball5743 Bingo !
Thanks m8. Your enthusiasm for prince is almost hilarious. I love it! And I learned a lot. Keep em coming!
Legend! Thanks heaps
This is an incredible study of the song. Thank you so much for posting it.
Thanks Phil. I appreciate your visit.
I NEED THESE TRACKS
Great breakdown. LGC is the song that really opened my eyes to Prince when I saw him open his Syracuse show with it and he blew me away! The long version is just awesome too - so sinister. Thanks for this. 👍
Thanks Andy. Yes, seeing the man live was something quite out of this world, wasn't it?!
Suoerb video. Every time I have tried to figure out this song I have felt there was something missing, and this explains it all. One of the most useful videos I have ever watched, really.
That's awesome praise! Thanks so much for your kind words.
Man this is totally mind blowing. I mean this puts his level of genius and musical ability in a whole new light. I already put him above anybody else but wow....he is truly a virtuoso prodigy more closely related to the great classical composers than to any of his contemporaries.
absolutely! Thanks for commenting.
Awesome man. Perfect video and wonderful insight. So good to hear the track pulled apart and hear how different it sounds in sections. Just shows you how complex a classic track is that ends up sounding very simple. Crazy.
Thanks so much Allister. Glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks Danny for this beautiful tribune you give here! I dont know how you got the different tracks of the song but.....it’s amazing. I’m a huge fan since the very first time of Prince (l’m 60 🥴) and the last 5 yrs were.......sad. God bless you, bro.
My pleasure, Jo! Thanks for your kind words and, yes, it has been a sad 5 years without Prince.
This is easily one of the best guitar channels in my opinion.
Thanks so much, AJ!
Danny, FINALLY someone properly goes over this song. You made the standard for this one mate! Got this via the algorithm via suggestions underneath AFTER I clicked on Can you hear me knocking live Mick Taylor band. Not sure why it took so long. Been going thru your catalog, sub'd just great videos dude, quality work. I had to laugh on your guess the solos. You looked like you WERE HAVING TOO MUCH FUN! on those! Really, I was chuckling on each solo, you clearly WERE enjoying them a lot! Since you're down under- one of the best shows of all time, an Aussie series is Mr Inbetween on FX Hulu, 4 short season, w/ fabulous writing, the guy wrote it and stars in it. Some of the best tv I've ever seen here in the US.
G'day Jim, thanks heaps for this message! Also for the sub and the Mr. Inbetween recommendation. By the way, have you checked out Mick Taylor's solo on the 1969 Madison Square Gardens version of Sympathy for the Devil? ruclips.net/video/bXDSbxi1YTY/видео.html
@@dannyeddyguitar no. But I will now! Thanks! I believe I converted the sound check from this show from RUclips for my bro in law who is a huge stones fan.
Susan Rogers said that she recorded the band playing this live at the warehouse where they rehearsed with overdubs by Prince later. There are only 3 one man band tracks on Purple Rain. When Doves Cry, The Beautiful Ones and Darling Nikki. Everything else on the album has somebody else from the Revolution playing on it in some way
Thanks! Yes, that sounds about how I would imagine it going down.
Those are my three favorite songs off of Purple rain. He really was a master of that Linn drum machine.🙏🏼
Great analysis, Prince is a genius, and thanks to you we’re reminded of that, so thanks!
We actually learned the whole long version of this. Our bass player was Philip Bynoe who nows plays with Steve Vai. Philip has perfect pitch so he was able to just shout out the notes to us when we were learning it!
Cool story! Thanks John.
This is the best thing I've ever seen, amazing! thank you so much.
Glad you checked it out Hank!
You Legend this was fascinating what an absolute musical Genius…
Love the edits you put in and the background information as well as your playing and research too… masterpiece video brother 💎
Thanks SO much for the kind words and support! Yes, the man was absolutely A Genius.
I've never been a huge Prince fan or anything (not a dislike by any stretch just not someone I ever felt the urge to listen to - except 7. absolutely love 7). ANYWAY this was wildly informative and enjoyable and not at all how I pictured spending half an hour on a Tuesday night. Might actually be the first time I've managed to watch a youtube video > 5 minutes from start to finish without getting distracted somewhere else.
That is fantastic! I was worried I was being far too self indulgent. Thanks so much for checking it out Kane.
Thanks
I've been waiting for a breakdown by Rick. Beatto on RUclips.
I'm so glad honoured you did it first
Hahaha, thanks Kayser. Yes! I Beat Beato to the Prince punch!
Beatto doesn't touch Prince. Only time I've seen him mention P was comparing H.E.R to P
that is an INCREDIBLE find. Always in fear of great artists like Prince, other 24 tracks just go missing forever. especially when the Masters burned down on the MGM lot. just never entered my mind that things so rare can just disappear forever. I know these are copies but still.. such an amazing find. now if they would just release his gazillions of recordings hes done privately over the years. that would be an amazing way to spend time. take a leave of absence from work, just sitting by the fireplace listening. great vid, thanks so much.
Thanks so much Teddy. Teddy Pendergrass? This is coincidental name surely?
@@dannyeddyguitar ha ha, nah sorry. just one of my favorite artists, God rest his soul.
Great vid Danny. Released by you exactly 5 years after his death.
Thanks Anton. I was completely oblivious to the serendipity! Or was I? Perhaps it was a subconscious tribute...
Perfect analysis ! The use of the polychords or dissonances were used imo to live up to the title of the song: "let's go CRAZY". People are not fully aware how complex and difficult Prince's songs are, until they try to play it. Because when you hear the songs they seem so natural and "easy". That's one part of Prince's genius !
I love that thought - that the harmony he applied was crafted to sound like 'Crazy'!
They recorded this song in a warehouse. So I think Wendy and Mark are definitely playing on that song.
Thanks Blair. Yes, many sources do claim Wendy & Mark are on here. And what I have are actually 'stems', so I can't tell whether their parts are mixed in amongst what I'm hearing. But, as I said, that bass playing sounds identical to the guitar playing. Same feel and same notes missed/muted/louder etc. But this could simply mean Prince punched in certain phrases later on. *shrugs*
Exactly especially if you watch the concert just don't know why this guy is not giving Wendy and Mark credit
Great video, thanks Danny. Eagerly awaiting the outro solo deep dive.
Oh yeah! Thanks for the reminder!
love prince...have since I was 7 in 82...this song is still my favorite prince song no matter how many times I've heard it...I used to keep a little mini boom box under the covers in the early 80s so I could listen to the new songs after my parents thought I was sleeping. ..I remember the first time I heard this song. it was one of those nights listening on that radio...I had already seen and heard his 1999 era stuff as well as when the doves cry so I knew who he was...but the song was released just as prince was really blowing up. this was like a combo of classic rock , glam rock , funk , gospel etc etc ...just blew my mind as a little kid. still my favorite prince song and one of the greatest opening album tracks of all time
Thanks so, so much for sharing those memories, Michael! I absolutely love reading this stuff. This is why music (and arts in general) is such a precious gift to the world. To connect people across the globe and stir precious memories and emotions... Bloody awesome!
Exactly. And when that second solo came on the deal was closed.
Great Danny! I´m also an huge Prince fan. I love all he has done. He was the greatest! I´ve also checking out songs as you are , how they are constructed, which chords and so on. And you´ve done this all for us already! Great work , keep up the good work. I´ll be back!
Thank you, Kent. So good of you to comment mate!
Loved this video and I'll be right there watching you on this journey into Prince's endless world of music. Prince is and forever will be the most talented and complete musician and artist of all time and I'm sure his music will live on and be rediscovered by future generations until the end of time. Again, thanks for this great video, wishing you all the best! ...💜 O(+> 4ever
Thank you, thank you, thank you! For your visit, your support and your awesome comment.
LETZ GO DANNY!!!
I ALWAYZ read..... I MISS HIM.
U r RARE!!!!
Thank u, Danny!
BTW.....
I can't wait, until u do COMPUTER BLUE!!!
Yeah, gotta do that one - what a BRILLIANT song! With SO many components...
this was actually recorded live at Fisrt Ave Aug 1983 for a benefit show he did
Thanks, Scott.
Thanks for bringing this analysis to us, LGC was and is always my fav Prince song, loved it when I first heard it and played it many times as a DJ in a metal/goth/ new wave club. Yes indeed, why cause this was what I call " dance rock ". Dance rhythms married to rock/metal melodies, too much rhythm it becomes another regular elctro dance track, too much guitar tune it becomes a metal song but this gets the balance perfect !
Nobody explained why till you did Danny, three guitars playing three very different chords gets both rhythm and heaviness in it to the right degree, genius as you say ! Thank you !
Thanks Mr X - interesting insights!
These song breakdowns are awesome. I’m a guitar player/singer who is hugely influenced by Prince. Keep up the great work!
Thanks Scott. Happy to have you along for the ride!
Prince has been a huge influence in my life being a bass player growing up in the funk era but I started out playing songs like smoke on the water but none of my buddies wanted to rock out but I did and he made it easier to get them to play stuff that I wanted to play so I really enjoy your content
Thanks bro 😎
Thanks Jacey. Yes, he had that funk-rock-crossover thing nailed, a long time before it was a thing.
You're killing me. Give me the synth parts as well. Cmon man! lol
Ohhhh sorry! Guitarist over here lol.
I've been trying to work out those mod-wheel'ed synth parts for years, especially during the breakdown!!!
Sir. You are a hero for making this video. It is so hard to hear all of this on the track. I gig professionally in MN and need to play this song properly at gigs. Thank you for this!
That's awesome Ben. So glad to help. Is there anywhere i can check out your efforts?
I have a bit on this channel and my Instagram by the same name but my biggest project is Happy Metal on RUclips.
prince and db genius both ...... love this
Thanks for dropping by June. Glad to see your absolute love of David Bowie still allows room for other musical geniuses. ;)
Amazing video Danny....I have subscribed on the strength of this 👏 👍😁
Thanks so much Alan!
Stumbled upon your site. Love the positive, deep analysis!
Very kind, thanks heaps!
Really appreciate this just-technical-enough analysis (no offence Beato!) delivered with ego-free expertise and infectious enthusiasm, great stuff many thanks
Would love to hear Beato's analysis explaining the actual theory behind the chords!
Thanks for having a look!
I loooove that crazy gain that transmits the scratchy random noises he makes as he transfers between different strings and frets
Same! It's like - constant excitement!
@@dannyeddyguitar it is! the best example is his noisy model C on the official video of the question of U (the Tokyo dome show). the guitar is noisy sounds like a formula one engine but the high gain scratches just tug at my heart I feel like one day I might get a cardiac arrest listening to that solo
awesome video, good to see some prince love in 2021
Thanks so much, Leo. Glad you liked it!
I added it to break up the normal in jazz I do but he was the influence for my style of piano and bass
Loved your break down
I learned even more form your vid!!! Right on
Thanks Fred!
PRINCE was indeed a genius. Talent enough for twenty people. He was taken from the world far too soon.
Thanks Mr. Troy, for the list, the comment, and the Prince love!
Could you please share the 24 track recording of let's go crazy in it's entirety cuz I'd love to hear it.
Keep a close eye on the r/PRINCE subreddit.
@@dannyeddyguitar Thanks for sharing this video! But...has its een posted there or will it?
@@RVDL it has been. It keeps getting taken down whenever and wherever it gets posted.
@@dannyeddyguitar could you repost it so we can snag it?
Hey Danny! Thanks a lot for this interesting analysis. It gave me several new insights, that's great! (long time prince admirer) ; )
Cheers Ivo. Really appreciate your support mate!
Just read a post by Carlos Alomar talking about recording Station to Station and Earl Slick would play his rock power chords and licks and he’d be playing his James Brown 9th fret grooves and that become the unique sound of the album. That’s exactly what is going on in the guitar parts here.
Incredible. I love that era of Bowie's band for this reason!
Brother ?!!!?!
now this is Good.
some Love right here.
Thank you! So glad to know Prince continues to inspire so much love in the world.
More !!!! Brilliant video
Thanks Tara. I will definitely do some more Prince gear.
This is an awesome breakdown. You saved me a lot of hassle
Thanks, Patrick. Glad it helped!
This is amazing Thank You 🙏
You’re totally welcome 😊
Cool video. You didn't even have to go over the wedding chapel intro - that might be the best intro ever.
Yeah! Brilliant intro. That wavering, over modulated organ sound is SO 2020!
Highly entertaining babblings 🤗🎶👌 Great vid, love it 😀 Cheers!
Thank you Charles. So glad it hit the mark!
its such a good video to learn guitar arrangements
Thanks for watching!
That poly-chord reminds me of the OO7 dissonant final chord. I used to listen to this song as an adrenaline pump before performing in gymnastic meets. It still gets too me nearly 40 years later. I remember hearing certain songs the first time and saying to myself, this will always sound great.
Yes, good pick up - both those chords have quite unexpected Major 7ths. Also agree about the 'classicness' of the song! Thanks for checking it out and commenting.
There's a rehearsal of Prince and Revolution messing around with 007 theme from 1983/4 - so you could be onto something?
Ok. Ok. I get the love for Prince. Subscribed.
Haha! Thanks heaps.
Sly Stone definitely deserves to be on the great 1 man band list.
What a beast!
Love it. Freakin' fascinating. How the hell did your mate get that file? And can he get more?? Looking forward to the end solo...
Thanks mate! Good question - no idea how he came across such a rarity. Bloody glad he did though!
Amazing video! I did notice one thing in the solo (main solo). At the end, I hear 4 groups of 3 notes, then ending on the C#. I slowed it down to catch it.
Thanks!! Maybe there's a different version, but on these isolated tracks there is definitely only three groups of three. Then Prince slides down from the F# to oblivion. However the rhythm guitar comes back in right there, on C# - perhaps that's what you're hearing.
It's the album version. I'll give it another listen slowed down.
@@dannyeddyguitar Here's the album version. ruclips.net/video/dmwLlj51iTA/видео.html At 2:59 is where the end of the solo comes in. I slowed it down to 50% and even 25%. What I hear is, 3 notes per string X 4 strings. High E string --17-16-14, B string --17-16-14, G string --16-15-14, D string --16-15-14, Then to the C#5 power
chord.
Awesome breakdown, thanks a million! Subscribed
Cheers Jason! Thanks for enjoying, commenting and subscribing.
So I have some insight... Alot of the "live" tracks on the Purple Rain album were indeed the entire band playing together live. But Prince was known to take the multitracked live recording and go back to the studio to lay down overdubs and add more to the production. So in a sense, you are right that alot of the guitar work is Prince, even some of the Bass overdubs might be him as well. But, in future sessions (SOTT) he would bring the individual members back in to rerecord some of their parts.
Yes he did. Frank Zappa often used multitracks from live performances in the studio as well.
Thanks, that's how I imagined it going down. Just because a session is recorded live, doesn't mean nothing is ever rerecorded, overdubbed, tuned etc. in post.
Wow, man! Thanks for your savvy!
Any time! Thanks for checking these out!
So the "elevator bring us down" section, which I thought was regular root and 5th power chords, are really root and 3rds. Interesting. I'm at work but I'll give it a try when I get home tonight. Thanks!
Yes! Well, Roots, 3rds, 5ths, and Maj 7ths!!
@@dannyeddyguitar I always played it more straight ahead root and 5ths, going by with what I heard in the forefront. Your breakdown of the intervals used, say him playing one set of chords and Wendy playing another, really gave the song depth. So again a thanks!
Since that one track cuts out when it clips, I'm assuming the "fuzz" comes from being plugged straight into the board (a la The Beatles "Revolution"). This would also explain why the wah is before the fuzz "effect."
Absolutely, could be. It could also be that the warehouse rehearsal was super loud and signal into amp mics was really hot. But I like you're thinking, because Prince did HEAPS of stuff DI into the desk - especially for some of that super crisp, dry-sounding funk articulation.
@@dannyeddyguitarDirty Mind album is a bunch of DI guitars.
very cool look at how this song was played.
Thanks heaps!
You DO REALIZE that the Revolution is playing on this with him
Yep
Ok i read that the revolution recorded lets go crazy live check out an interview with susan Roger's at the rehearsal where house so that main guitar riff wendy played that
Thanks Keith. I've learned absolutely heaps through all the comments on my Prince clips!
This guy has such an attractive energy. Love him.
Thanks so, so much Romantis!
1st time visit - - I think I'm gonna like this channel.
I hope you do! Cheers.
Bro! This is incredible! Where did you get these tracks?!?!? This explains SOOOO much why Ive always had such a hard time figuring out parts on let’s go crazy!
Grew up on Prince myself. Got lucky to go visit my cousin in Texas when I was 11 and they happened to be going to the purple rain concert! 🤯 Changed my life forever…huge fan from that point on. Keep up the great work!
Wow! What an experience for an 11 year old!! A viewer sent me these tracks. I have promised not to share because the estate doesn't want them out there. But they sometimes pop up on Reddit...
Great video. One thing not sure mentioned here is that this was recorded on analog 24 track tape. And tape speeds, saturation and even slight speed variations are also all going to add to the mystical rhythm and funk.
So true! A great point, and I'm seeing more and more artists including analogue 'links' in their recording 'chain'
Magnificent video - love it.
Cheers Julian
what's the guitar chord played during the post bizzaro breakdown part you mentioned it sounds like one chord being played with slight note change here and there
Hi Cyan, you are correct. It is indeed one chord with a single note being changed. The chord is Bm. Played on the D, G, and B strings at the 9th, 7th and 7th frets. Then the B string note is changed, first to the 9th, then the 10th frets. It's a well used (well stolen?) funk riff that I first heard when Catfish Collins played it on James Brown's Soul Power in 1971. Then Nile Rodgers played it on Duran Duran's Notorious, before INXS used it on their smash, Original Sin.
u R BRILLIANT! amazing teacher!
Cheers. I appreciate your feedback!
This is awesome. Thanks Danny.
You're totally welcome, John. Thanks for checking it out!
Prince often was in Studio 3 and Eddie van Halen in Studio 2 or 1 at Sunset Sound at the same time. They were neighbors so to speak.
Ooh! Nice insight!
This is really interesting. I’m sure prince was very influenced by listening to funkadelic’s maggot brain guitar solo. It’s so… Funky!
Prince Jesse DeAngelo Questlove all heavily influenced by Funkadelic
Brilliant solo! Thanks Kevin.
And in a very rewarding aside - one of my teenage students who has just started his first band told me they're learning Flashlight!
please give us more !!!!
Always more Prince brewing away in the background...
Where can one get a copy of the tracks to listen / try this at home ?
I believe prince was using an MXR Pitch Transposer Rack mount processor. I've done this in our studio and it's spot on. However, your analysis is valuable
Thanks! You mean, for the Octave stuff? Or the Flanger effect?
@@dannyeddyguitar the note runs. Especially evident in the verses.
Great video! Prince was the greatest!
Thanks, Squadgeman!
awesome, great breakdown - thanks!
My pleasure, Peter! Thanks for your visit.
Just beautiful. Can t play but followed you
Thanks man. Had some fun with that!
Clearly some next level shit. Like Tesla and electricy. Prince just understood music on a different level
Great break down of the extended version! Where is the funky chord stab demo from the post breakdown? Thanks!
Thanks! Sorry - I left that bit out. It's basically a B minor vamp at the 7th fret. 3rd finger on 9th fret of D string, 1st finger barred at 7th fret across G and B strings, then use your 4th finger to add the 9th then 10th frets on the B string as required. Good luck!
@@dannyeddyguitar Thank You! Way better response than I thought I might get!
That was fantastic!
Thanks Richard. Glad you liked it!
@@dannyeddyguitar I had no idea there were layers of fuzzed out guitars (which pedal?) and the clashing poly chords. Yep - the man was a genius alright.
Thanks from🇯🇵
Cheers, TJB!
purple rain, and the movie, are one of the most important musical pieces of the century. who filmed themselves becoming a superstar ?
So, so good. Every time I return to it!
Great breakdown ✌
Thanks for watching CMM!
@@dannyeddyguitar You're welcome 👍And thanks for the great content 👍
that was great, thanks man
Glad you liked it, Reece.
great work ! thanx
Thank you too!
What a fantastic video, would you happen to know where to get a download of this 24 track project, if not don't worry, I know id spend hours just listening to his musical genius, definitely will subscribe.
Thanks so much Sparrow. I was lucky enough to be sent the files by a viewer. But they're quite large and I don't currently have a subscription service with enough space to upload - too many collaborative projects on the go!
@@dannyeddyguitar no worries Danny, thanks for the reply anyway 😁
Ive always thought that Prince was influenced by Zappa.
Both are in my top players and writers list.
Same! Thanks Biz.
Wow it's crazy how noisy the guitars are. The real hero here is the audio engineer who mixed and cleaned the whole track up.
Absolutely!! That blew my mind when I first heard it!
Matt Fink played the atonal solo in the long version, not Prince.
Oh wow! I always presumed it was Prince. He certainly played that sort of thing in his live shows. Thanks so much for that intel!
Bloddy Hell, the end is a brilliant take on a classic blues end.
Sure is! I always loved that as a kid, like he was poking a little bit of fun at a bygone era.
@@dannyeddyguitar - Brilliant